The absence of Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, stalled the trial of Isaac Bristol, popularly known on his X handle as “PIDOM Nigeria.”
The matter, which was fixed for today, could not proceed because Justice Nwite is on two-week vacation leave.
The trial judge, who sat during the annual vacation between July 23 and September 13, commenced the leave this week.
The trial had been fixed for January 22, 2025.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Justice Nwite had, on September 27, admitted Bristol to a N5 million bail with one surety in the like sum.
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The judge, in a ruling on his bail application moved by his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, held that bail is a constitutional right.
He directed that Bristol provide one surety in like sum, who must be a reasonable citizen whose tax clearance certificate and address must be verified by the court.
He also ordered that the defendant must deposit his passport with the court.
Nwite warned that if the defendant failed to comply with the conditions, his bail would be revoked.
The judge, who ordered Bristol to be remanded in the correctional centre pending the perfection of his bail, adjourned the matter until November 5 for trial.
NAN recalls that Bristol was arrested by the police on August 5 in his hotel room in Rivers.
The Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced his arrest, alleging he “committed serious offences that undermine the integrity of government operations.”
He was arraigned on September 3 on nine counts filed against him by Simon Lough, SAN, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police before Justice Nwite.
He was alleged to have unlawfully obtained and distributed classified government documents, destroying evidence, and contravening relevant money laundering and cybercrime laws.
Police counsel, Lough, contended that the defendant shared documents alleging that President Bola Tinubu released N24.1 billion to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria through Vice President Kashim Shettima’s office.
He was accused of later claiming that the fund was increased to N90 billion.
Bristol, however, denied the allegations.
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